Bread wrapping machine



Nov. 1, 1966 .1. B. HARTMAN BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 30, 1965 H ICF Nov. 1, 1966 J. B. HARTMAN 3,282,21

BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Wand aw United States Patent The present invention relates toimprovements and modifications of conventional bread wrapping machinesto permit the user of the machine to alternatively forrn conventionalpackages with both ends sealed or the package of the type wherein oneend is sealed and the other end defines a bunched neck closed by a tie,and the following disclosure of the invention is offered for publicdissemina tion upon the grant of a patent therefor.

Many bakeries have found that there is a present demand for breadpackages of the type wherein one end is sealed and theother end has thematerial gathered'and bunched to define a neck which then is closed by atie. At the same time there remains a substantial demand for the moreconventional packages which have both ends of the packages folded andsealed. Furthermore, the bakeries have a substantial investment inpackaging machinery and equipment which is usable only for theproduction of the conventional type packages. The principal object ofthe present invention is to provide a bread packaging machine which, ina few minutes, can be changed over from the production of conventionaltype packages to the extended end type package and vice versa. Thepresent invention not only can be incorporated into new machines asproduced by the manufacturer for sale to the bakery, but also may beused in the modification of existing machines owned by the bakeries.This enables the bakery owner to utilize his present machinesefficientl'y and to produce the extended end type package without thecapital investment in a completely new packaging machine. Themodifications necessary to convert an existing machine are relativelyinexpensive and can be completed in a relatively short working period.Once the machine modifications have been made the changing of themachine from on type of packaging to the other does not require theservices of a skilled mechanic or machinist but can be performed by theregular bakery employees.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of one side of a breadwrapping machine embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the near side of the structure ofFIGURE 1, with portions removed; FIGURE 3 is a section viewed at line 33of FIG- UR-E 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating amachine as arranged for the packaging of extended end type wrappers; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the guide for the extended end of thepackages.

Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination isdetailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding this is not intendedto prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each newinventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it byvariations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims atthe end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose; as itis these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts,improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

azsaaar Patented Nov. 1, 19 36 Representative conventional packagingmachine the apparatus includes a main frame ltl within which is aconveyor surface 11. The unwrapped loaves of bread are fed into themachine at the side opposite that seen in FIGURES 1 and 4. They aremoved onto an elevator 12 which by a pivotal movement raises the leavesup to conveyor surface 11. As this is done a section of wrappingmaterial is folded about the elongated sides of the loaf with theWrapping material projecting beyond the ends of the loaf. To prevent thewrapping material from being too tight about the loaf a roller (notshown) at the entering end of conveyor surface 11 is driven by drive 13from a gear box 14. Gear box 14 normally is mounted on cross bar 15 ofthe frame and has a gear (not shown) which is engaged with convey-orchain 16 to power the gear box and drive 13. Ohain 16 is driven by otherpower means (not shown). The roller driven by drive 13, the drive andgear box 14 are commonly referred to as the loose wrap assembly.

The partially wrapped loaves of bread are moved along conveyor surface 11 by pushers 18 which after turning about the sprockets 19 at the rightend of FIG- URES 1 and 4 are cammed out at approximately right angles tothe length of chain 16 and move in the direction indicated by arrow 21.As the partially wrapped loaves move along conveyor surface 11 throughthe portion of the machine illustrated in FIGU-RES'I and 4 the wrappingmaterial at each end of the loaf is folded and sealed by folders andsealers 21 and 22 at opposite ends thereof.

Each of the folders and sealers is mounted on a respective subframe. InFIGURES 1 and 4 it will be seen that folder and sealer 21 is mounted onsubframe 23. A control 24 enables the operator of the machine to adjustthe amount of heat on the sealers for most effective sealing. After theends are sealed, end labels are applied by a labeler 25, also mounted onsubframe 23. Labeler 25 is driven by a gear (not shown) which engageschain 16 and is attached to shaft 26.

Means are provided to enable the two subframes to be moved toward oraway from each other, thus moving the folders and sealers toward or awayfrom each other so that the machine may be used for the packaging ofloaves of bread of different lengths. To this end a shaft 28 has threadsof the opposite sense on the two sides thereof, one being right hand theother being left hand. On each subframe is a nut which engages therespective threads. In FIGURES 2 and 3 there is a nut 29 engagingthreads 30 on shaft 28. A sprocket 31 engages shaft 28 and drives achain 32. In turn, chain 32 drives sprocket 33 whose hub 34 defines anut engaging the threads 35 of shaft 36. A bracket 37 connects hub 34 tomain frame it) and restrains the hub against axial movement whilepermitting the rotational movement thereof. Shaft 36 is pinned tosubframe 23 by means such as pin 38 (shown here in its modified form). Asliding guide bar 39 is axially movable in a boss 40. Bar 39 is securedto subframe 23 by means such as a pin 41 (shown here in its modifiedform). v

The arrangement is such that when shaft 28 is rotated in one direction,subframe 23 is moved toward the respective side of main frame It).Opposite rotation of shaft 28 moves subframe 23 away from the respectiveside of main frame 10. The subframe on the opposite side which supportsfolder and sealer 22 similarly moves toward and away from its respectivesideiof the main frame. Thus the rotation of shaft 28 in one directionmoves the two folders and sealers toward each other, while rotation inthe opposite direction rnoves them away from each other.

Improvements in bread wrapping machine Pins 38 and 41 are provided withmeans such as the handles illustrated thereon to permit them to bereadily removed to disengage shaft 36 and bar 39 respectively fromsubframe 23. A mounting block 45 for nut 29 is provided with tappedholes 46 to receive the threaded ends of thumb screws 47. Ananti-rotation rod 49 is mounted on the main frame and extends betweenthe two sides thereof. A mounting block 48 is provided for gear box 14.Mounting block 48 is secured to crossbar and in turn supports the gearbox. This pivots the gear box upwardly to provide adequate room forvertical movement of the side frame as hereinafter described.

Extension arms 50 and 51 are secured to subframe 23 at the respectiveends thereof. Each of the arms has a vertical, tapped, hole such as hole52 in arm 50 seen in FIGURE 1. Threaded screws 53 and 54 are mountedvertically in alignment with the tapped holes in arms 50 and 51. Screw53 is journaled in a bearing 55 forming a part of bracket 56 secured toframe 10. Crank 47 has a boss 48 secured to screw 53. Screw 53 isvertically movable in bearing 55. Boss 48 rides on the top of thebearing to limit the downward movement of the screw in the bearing.

Similarly, screw 54 is journaled in a bearing 59 forming a part ofbracket 60 mounted on frame 10. A boss 61 forming a part of crank 62 andsecured to screw 54 limits the downward movement of the screw in bearing59. Wedges 63 and 64 are provided for insertion between the boss of therespective crank and bearing to lift the screws 53 and 54- out of theway when they are not in use.

A wrapper guide illustrated in FIGURE 5 is provided for use when theextended end type package is to be produced. It comprises a supportplate 66 having U shaped brackets 67 affixed thereto. Brackets 67support upper guide wires 68 and lower guide wires 69. Two bosses 70 and71 are secured to support plate 66. Boss 70 has an opening 72 of a sizeto receive guide bar 39 and a thumb screw 73 to releasably connect theboss to the guide bar. Similarly boss '71 has an opening 74 of a size toreceive a guide bar 75. A thumb screw 76 is provided to releasablyconnect boss 71 with guide bar 75. Guide bar 75 is slidably movable inboss 77 secured to frame 10. Bosses and 77 are provided with thumbscrews 78 and 79 so that guide bars 39 and 75 may be locked in place.Gauge blocks 80 are installed on both sides of the main frame 10.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the use of the bread wrapping machine in theconventional manner for sealing both ends of the loaf. Screws 53 and 54are disengaged from the respective threaded holes in arms and 51. Wedges63 and 64 are inserted between the respective bosses on the cranks andthe hearings to raise screws 53 and 54 away from the arms. Thus,subframe 23 is free to be moved in or out by the rotation of shaft 28 inthe usual manner. Of course, guide 39 is locked in place by pin 41, withthumb screw 78 being loose so that subframe 23 moves in the propermanner.

When it is desired to produce a package with only one end sealed and thewrapping material at the other (end projecting out from the end of theloaf, the first step is to turn shaft 28 until subframes 23 abut thegauge blocks 81 Thereupon the threaded openings in arms :59 and 51 arecentered under screws 54 and 54, respectively. Wedges 63 and 64- areremoved so that screws .53 and 54 descend sufficiently to enter thethreaded hole in arms 50 and 51. Cranks 57 and 62 are turned to engagethe threaded screws with the arms.

With screws 53 and 54 supporting subframe 23, thumb screw 47 can beremoved to disengage subframe 23 from hearing support block 45. Pin 41is removed to disengage guide bar 39 from the subframe. Pin 38 isremoved to disengage shaft 36 from the subframe. Shaft 36 is thenrotated in a direction to back it out of nut 34 (toward the viewer), andwithdraw the shaft from the opening in the subframe. To facilitate thisrotation of shaft 36 a means such as a hand wheel 82 is provided. Shaft26 on the labeling apparatus 25 is disengaged from its sprocket (notshown) and the shaft is partially pulled out to the position illustratedin FIGURE 4, at which position it is clear for vertical movement withrespect to chain 16, the supports therefor, etc.

Cranks 57 and 62 now can be rotated to raise subframe 23 out of the wayto the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The end guide means of FIGURE 5is incrted along the side of conveyor surface 11 as illustrated inFIGURE 4. Thumb screws 73 and lock the guide means to guide bars 39 and75. The guide bars then are moved longitudinally until the guides 68 and69 are in the proper position, at which point the guide bars are lockedin place by thumb screws 78 and 79. The tucker (not shown) associatedwith elevator 12, and on the near side of the machine, is replaced witha tucker such as that illustrated in FIGURE 8 of my prior application,Serial No. 263,044, filed March 5, 1963, now Patent No. 3,237,372, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The subframeholding the folder and sealer 22 may be adjusted in the normal manner toproperly position folder and sealer 22. In so doing rod 49 prevents therotation of mounting block 45 which was disconnected from subframe 23.

Thus, as each loaf is raised to the level to be moved onto conveyorsurface 11 the wrapping material on the near side of the loaf projectsoutwardly from the end of the loaf. This wrapping material then proceedsbetween the guide wires 68 and 69 as the loaf moves along the conveyorsurface 11 under the urging of pushers 18. The opposite end of the loafis folded and sealed in the conventional manner by folder and sealer 22.The loaf is held tight against the folder and sealer 22 at the oppositeside of the machine since the end of the loaf at the near side of themachine bears against the inner enlarged guide bar 68a. After the farend of'the loaf is folded and sealed in the conventional manner the loafproceeds on through the machine to a subsequent station, not shown, inwhich a tie is placed about the wrapping material which extends from thenear end of the loaf.

If subsequently in the day it is desired to go back to the manufactureof regular packages, the guide means of FIGURE 5 is removed. Shaft 30 isrotated in the normal manner to bring the subframe holding folder andsealer 22 out against the gauge block on the corresponding side of themachine. Subframe 23 is lowered to the FIGURE 1 position. Thumb screws47 are employed to re-secure the subframe to support block 45. Guide 3?is aflixed to the subframe by pin 41. Shaft 36 is turned inwardly,inserted into the subframe and engaged therein by pin 38. Labeler 25 isreconnected. Screws 53 and 54 are disengaged from arms 50 and 51 andraised out of the way by means of wedges 63 and 64. At this stage shaft28 is turned in the conventional manner to position the two folding andsealing heads at the opposite sides of the machine the proper distanceapart for the particular size loaves being packaged. The tucker onelevator 12 is replaced with a conventional tucker. The packagingmachine now can be put back into operation.

I claim:

1. In a bread wrapping machine comprising a main frame, a movablesubframe holding folding and sealing elements for one end of the breadloaf and wrapper therefor moving along a conveyor and apparatus to movesaid subframe only horizontally with respect to the main frame, theimprovement comprising: means to releasably attach said apparatus tosaid subframe, whereby said subframe may be released for movement otherthan horizontal; means adapted to be connected to said released subframeto lift the subframe and move said elements out of the path of the endof a wrapper moving along said conveyor; a wrapper guide; and means toreleasably mount the wrapper guide to intercept and guide the end ofsaid wrapper.

2. In a bread wrapping machine including a main frame, a conveyor alongwhich a loaf of bread with a wrapper thereabout is moved, folding andsealing elements positioned along the sides of said conveyor to closethe ends of the Wrapper about the loaf, subframes supporting saidelements at each side of said conveyor and apparatus connecting saidsubframes to the main frame for horizontal movement only with respect tothe main frame, the improvement comprising: means to releasably attachsaid apparatus to said subframe, whereby said subframe may be releasedfor movement other than horizontal; means adapted to be connected tosaid released subframe to lift the subframe and move said elements outof the path of the end of a wrapper moving along said conveyor, saidlifting means including two jacks mounted on the main frame andpositioned adjacent each end of the one subframe, and a releasableconnection between each jack and the subframe; a wrapper guide; andmeans to releasably connect the main frame and the guide to position theguide at the one side of the conveyor when the subframe at said side hasbeen lifted out of the way.

3. In a bread wrapping machine including a main frame, a conveyor alongwhich a loaf of bread with a wrapper thereabout is moved, folding andsealing elements positioned along the sides of said conveyor to closethe ends of the wrapper about the loaf, subframes supporting saidelements at each side of said conveyor and apparatus including ahorizontally sliding guide and horizontally positioned screw and nutmeans connecting said subframes to the main frame for horizontalmovement only with respect to the main frame, the improvementcomprising: means to releasably connect said guide to the subframe atone side of the conveyor; means to releasably connect said screw and nutmeans to said subframe at one side of the conveyor; two jacks includingvertically positioned screws at said one side of the conveyor andadjacent the ends of the subframe at said one side, said screws beingreceived in a bearing in the main frame and having a boss above thebearing to support the screw from the bearing; wedges adapted to beinserted between each boss and the respective bearing to raise the screwwith respect to the main frame; nuts for said vertical screws andsecured to the subframe in vertical alignment with the screws; a secondsliding guide secured to the main frame and positioned in alignment withthe first guide and spaced therefrom; a wrapper guide; and means toreleasably attach the wrapper guide to said sliding guides; whereby withsaid vertical screws backed out of the respective nuts and raised bysaid wedges said subframe at said one side of the conveyor may be usedin the normal manner in the wrapping and sealing of loaves of bread ofvarious sizes, and with said wedges removed and the vertical screwsengaged with the respective nuts, the subframe may be disconnected fromthe first sliding guide, the screw and nut means and the subframethereafter raised by said jacks and the wrapper guide may 'be aflixed tothe sliding guides and positioned along said one side of the conveyor.

No references cited.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. L. S. BOUCHARD, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE COMPRISING A MAIN FRAME, A MOVABLESUBFRAME HOLDING FOLDING AND SEALING ELEMENTS FOR ONE END OF THE BREADLOAF AND WRAPPER THEREFOR MOVING ALONG A CONVEYOR AND APPARATUS TO MOVESAID SUBFRAME ONLY HORIZONTALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIN FRAME, THEIMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: MEANS TO RELEASABLY ATTACH SAID APPARATUS TOSAID SUBFRAME, WHEREBY SAID SUBFRAME MAY BE RELEASED FOR MOVEMENT OTHERTHAN HORIZONTAL; MEANS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID RELEASED SUBFRAMETO LIFT THE SUBFRAME AND MOVE SAID ELEMENTS OUT OF THE PATH OF THE ENDOF A WRAPPER MOVING ALONG SAID CONVEYOR; A WRAPPER GUIDE; AND MEANS TORELEASABLY MOUNT THE WRAPPER GUIDE TO INTERCEPT AND GUIDE THE END OFSAID WRAPPER.